Apparatus for thawing explosives.



No. 635,945. Patentdflct. 3|, I899. w. J. smnn. APPARATUS FOR THAWING EXPLOSIVES.

(Appliufion filed Feb. 15, 1899.)

(No Model.)

INVENTOR.

WITNESSES l fiv oo m: uonms mizns ca, PHOYO-Ln PATENT Fries.

WILLIAM JAY SMITH, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR THAWING EXPLOSIVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,945, dated October 31, 1899.

Application filed February 15, 1899. Serial No. 705,561. (No model.)

able others skilled in the art to which it mostnearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

In cold weather high explosives, such as dynamite and nitroglycerin powders, become frozen and require to be thawed before using. This is usually done by placing the frozen explosives in the oven of a stove or in hot water, which often results in an explosion, owing to chemical change or overheating.

The object of my invention is to provide a portable apparatus in which such high explosives can be thawed with less danger of being exploded and which when properly handled will be a practical safe thawing apparatus; and it consists of an inner vessel contained within a larger outside Vessel, so asto leave a space between them into which steam or hot Water can be introduced for supplying the necessary heat. The frozen explosive is placed in the inner vessel and is thawed by the surrounding heat.

My invention relates to details of. construction in connection With said apparatus by which it is rendered safe, convenient, and durable, all as hereinafter described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an exterior View of the apparatus, taken in perspective, showing the top; and Fig. 2 is a vertical section in elevation showing the arrangement of the parts.

Let A represent the exterior vessel, which is shown in the drawings as being cylindrical in form; but it can be made square or of other shape.

B is the top or head, and C is the bottom, of the vessel. The top and bottom, it will be noticed, are each set and secured inside the vessel, so as to leave a chime at extending all around at both top and bottom. The chime' at the bottom forms the base upon which the apparatus stands and is a protection againstinjury to the body of the vessel when moving opening is closed by a cap or plug I.

within the vessel A. It is considerably smaller than the outside vessel, so that a space isleft all around it. It is supported upon the bottom of the large or outside vessel by legs G G. It has a neck H extending upward from its top and through the top B of the exterior vessel which serves as a hand-hole through which the explosive is introduced into or removed from the vessel. This hand=hole or J is a short tube which passes through the head or top of the vessel A and communicates with the space between the two vessels, and this tube or opening has also a cap or plug K adapted to close its upper end. On the opposite side of the hand-hole is another small opening L, which is also adapted to be closed by a plug or cap, as shown.

In the side of the outer vessel A a thermometer O is secured, as shownat Fig. 1, so that it forms a part of the apparatus.

The frozen dynamite or other explosive is introduced into the inner vessel E through the hand-hole opening, andthe cap or plug I is then secured in place, so as to close the opening. Hot water or steam is then introduced into the space between the two vessels through the tube J. The chime cl at the top of the vessel forms a pan, which will catch any overflow of water when hot water is used, and holes 19 are made in the chime at a point lower than the projecting tops of the openings, so that the overflow-water will be carried off through the waste-holes before it rises high enough to enter the openings. The frozen explosive is thus surrounded with a heated element without coming in contact with it and is readily thawed. lVhen the interior water becames cool, it can be discharged from the vessel through the orifice or opening L If steam is used, a steam-pipe can be connected from a boiler with the tube J and the orifices all closed, so as to surround the inner vessel with steam instead of hot water. The thermometer 0 will always indicate the inside temperature of the apparatus, so that the danger-point can be controlled.

This apparatus is portable and can be moved from place to place and provides a safe and reliable means for thawing such dangerous compounds.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a thawing apparatus, the combination of an outer tank, an inner tank, the walls of the tanks being spaced apart to form a chamher around the inner tank, the outer tank being provided with a chime at its upper end having openings, and with a head having an opening for the passage which communicates with the inner tank, and with an inlet and an outlet for the heating medium, the said passage inlet and outlet extending above the openings in the chime.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of February, 1899.

WM. JAY SMITH.

Witnesses. OHAs. J. ARMBRUSTER, J. A. BAYLESS. 

